There are days that my dog gets me out of bed; days when she calms me down in the midst of my ranting, when we’re out on our walk together. Sometimes she reminds me so much of myself – she loses track of her surroundings and goes off chasing smells and sounds – while I’m pleading with her to return to the safety of her walk with me.

Then I remember how much like her I am. I follow paths and smells and get distracted, when I should be walking beside my Master and savior, hanging onto His words and directions. So often her actions bring me to repentance, and that is so wondrous – that the Lord can use the common things in this life to remind us of His love and care.

This morning, I was reading Isaiah and I was reminded again of His love and comfort to me, regardless of my wandering.

You will say in that day:“I will give thanks to You, O Lord,for though You were angry with me,Your anger turned away,that You might comfort me.

“Behold, God is my salvation;I will trust, and will not be afraid;for the LordGod is my strength and my song,and He has become my salvation.”

All the thoughts that run through my head about things I’ve done; things I should have done; things I’ve left undone.

Recently, decisions made by my spouse to which I gave acquiescence have caused me some grief. It wasn’t until I was out walking the dog, and talking it through with the Lord that I realized I was obsessing over earthly things, which He could replace if they were a necessary part of my existence on earth.

I’m learning day by day that my upbringing in various churches that taught me that I am worthy of all this wealth on earth has tainted my view of not only my life here, but especially the Lord, and His provisions.

Dear Father, protect me from myself and the heresies and selfishness of wanting everything here and now, and moaning and griping when I think someone has taken advantage of me. All I am and have is from You. Why am I creating my own idol of my own goals, instead of looking to You, and acknowledging that You alone are the origin of everything – including my next breath?

I thank You, Father, for bringing good, Biblical teachers across my path by way of the Internet, as the churches in the area are still preaching law, immediate prosperity, and social gospel. I pray for the congregants who don’t know You and Your grace in their lives.